Vending machine



Jan, w R H 1,841,378

VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6. 1930 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I I u m gwuc/ntoc Jan. 19, 1932. w, PARR|$H 1,841,378

VENDING* MACHINE Fild Aug. 6, 1930 s She ets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 19, 1932 n iTn STATES WILBUR G. PARRISH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS VENDING MACHINE Application filed. August 6, 1930. Serial No. 473,416.

.My invention relates to vending machines, and more particularly to, that class of vending machines in which a belt conveyor is employed to carry the articles to the point of discharge, and my main object is to provide a machine of this kind which is adaptable to commodities of different classes without material change.

A further object of the invention is to design the novel machine with adjustable means adaptable to articles of different heights, widths and depths.

A still further object of the invention is to construct the novel machine on lines of 5 compactness yet with a capacity for a maximum number of the articles to be vended.

A final but nevertheless important object of the invention is to build the same of the fewest number of parts consistent with the requirements of the machine, and to make these parts simple and durable.

Vith the above objects in view and any others that may suggest themselves from the r specification and claims to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichc Figure 1 is an elevation of the novel vending machine, showing for the sake of illustration but two article divisons, although the machine may be extended to include many more such divisions;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the I machine showing one of the article divisions in elevation;

Figs. 3 and 4, are, respectively, cross sections on the lines .3-3-'and 4- 1 of Fig. 2; the conveyor at the right-hand portion of Fig. 4: being in plan;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section, partly in ele vation, on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a coin control, partly in elevation, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4:;

Fig. 7 is a plan section taken onthe line 'i"-7 of Fig. 6 i v Fig. 8 is a fragmenta l detail elevation view from the line 88 of Fig. 6;

Figs. 9 and 10, are, respectively, detail sections taken on the lines 99 and 10l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view. of an adjustable bearing detail;

Fig. 12 is a fragmental vertical section of the conveyor belt; and

.Fig. 13 is a group perspective View showing the application of shelves to the conveyor belt.

While vending machines have employed conveyor belts for the support of the articles to be vended, andthe transportation thereof to a point of discharge, it is significant that such vending machines were either limited to articles of one size or to a small capacity of articles where the divisions therefor were adjustable to articles of different size. In my embodiment, I have not only provided for a maximum number of articles along the belt irrespective of their size, but have also provided by simply adjusting the machine to convey articles of different depths and widths,these values being considered from the patrons position. A versatile machine is thus provided which accomplishes the above mentioned objects and other objects developing in the following description to their fullest extent. v

Referring'specifically to the drawings, 20' denotes the cabinet for the novel vending machine, the samebeing made with fr'ontal'windows 21 in a horizontal series, and these windows representing the divisions for each row or series of articles vended. Thus, as suggested in Fig. 2, one may see throughone window a row of one commodity, in the neXt window a row of another commodity, and so on. Below each window is a discharge aperture 20a for the articles vended, and at one side of each window is a coin apparatus 22 having a slot 22a near the top for the insertion of the coin, a slot 22?) near the bottom forthe discharge of an unused coin or slug, and a knob 23 in the region of the center which -must be turned in order 'to operate the coin apparatus.

Immediately behind'eaoh window 21 is a conveyor mechanism which generally comprises an endless belt 24:, top and bottom guide pulleys 25 and 26 for the same, and a series of shelves 27 outstanding from the belt. As partly shown in Fig. 2, the commodity articles 23 are supported between the shelves, it being understood that the conveyor is fully loaded with these articles and that only a few of these have been shown as a matter of example. The conveyor operates in a plane from front to rear and its pulleys 25 and 26 are formed with toothed cores 25a d 26a for the meshing of a similar formation on the internal surface of the belt The pulleys are journaled on spindles 23 carriedby bearings 30. These bearings are slidably mounted on 31 extended horizontally from front to rear. The upper bars 31 enter hanger rods 32 by way of slots 32?) in the same, these rods receiving set screws 33 into their lower ends and directed against the-bars 31. The slots are of sufficient height to permit the barsto be raised if desired by the advance of the screws 33. A similar installation applies to the lower bar 31, posts 32a being employed in the manner of the rods 32, and the slots being made similarly to those in saidrods. Cross pins 34: are made near the ends of the bars 31 next inside the rods 32 and posts 32a toblock the bars from longitudinal motion relative to the rods or posts. It will be evident that the expedient just described is for the stretching of the conveyor belt 2r to a taut degree, this being simply done by the advance of the set screw 33 d 33a below) to separate the bars 31 and so procure the stretching of the belt. The rods 32 and posts 320i are preferably supported by being riveted with their outer ends into strips 35 and 35a, respectively, in dovetail fashion as shown in Fig. 2, the strips being secured to the top and bottom of the cabinet by screws 356. An independent support is thus provided for each conveyor, and the same principle of installation will thus apply to cabinets of different widths, wherein a lesser or greater number of conveyors are installed.

The belt is intended to be propelled through a limited distance each time the knob 23 of a given vending unit is turned to a pre: uete-rmin ed ci-ztent by the patron, the mode of transmitting this motion to the belt being related in a later section. The discharge opening 20a is made of aheight and widtl for the passage of an article of maximum size consistentwith the purpose of the machine, and when articles considerably less than this size are to be vended, I make use of a filler plate 36, vertically slidable in guides 37 (see F i 3) to limit the discharge opening in vertical direction, the filler plate being slotted at 36a for the application of a set screw 37 from within the cabinet to secure the plate at any height desired. The filler plate thus limits the discharge passage to approximately the height of the article, so that unscrupulous persons may not have access to articles other than than that which has been vended toa previous patron. The filler plate is made with a short rearward bend 36b to serve as a continuation of the shelf at the bottom of the discharge passage, rendering the course of the vendcd article smooth.

It will be noted in Fig. 2 that an intermediate sprocket 38 is interposed and meshed between the belt runs at about the height of the discharge passage of the cabinet. This sprocket not only spaces the belt runs against collapse but provides a firm backing for the belt at the point of the article discharged; and by mailing the lower pulley sprocket 26a smaller the. the sprocket 33 a break in the belt is created whereby to spread or deflect the shelf on which the article about to be discharged rests from the next upper shelf. This action as the shelf reaches the position even with the plate bend 36?) operates to propel or advance the article 28 a sufficient distance that it may be grasped between the fingers and taken out, as suggested in Fig. 2.

'The sprocket 38 is formed with a spindle 39 (see Fig. 11) which is freely journaled in a bearing 40 having an inward flange 4:064 and an outwardly threaded stem 40?). As indicated in 2, the bearing 40 for each end of the sprocket is slidably disposed in the forked portion lla of a bracket 41 which is secured by screws or other means 42 to the rear wall of the cabinet. The sprocket 38 is thus adjustable fromfront to rear between the fork ila, and any adjustment thereof may be fixed by mounting a nut 43 on the stem 40 a and tightening the same against the fork with the effect of drawing the flange 40a up against the latter. i

It will now be evident that by adjusting the bearings 30 of the belt conveyor along the bars 31 and adjusting the sprocket 38 ac cordingly, the conveyor may be moved bodily from front to rear, permitting articles of greater depth to be held between the shelves. The latter are made considerably narrower than the belt, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, the width of the shelves being suitable for the support of articles of shelf Width or approaching the width of the conveyor belt. In this respect it is advisable to have lateral guides for the articles in order that they may not become dislodged from the shelves by the periodical operation of the belt. Such guides are shown in the form of wall plates a l and 45, the wall plates 44 adjoining the shelves corresponding to the frontal belt run and the wall plates 45 serving similarly with relation to the rear shelves. The wall plates i4: and 45 are. made with top and bottom bearings l6 slidable on rods 47 and 48, respectively. he rods 47 and 48 extend from front to rear and are spaced midway in order to be independently disposed. I The r ds are supported by being tapped at their outer ends to receive the screw shanks 49 of slide blocks 50 which are operable in horizontal channel bars 51 mounted inside the front and rear walls of the cabinet at heights corresponding to the rods. Thus, it is possibleto move a given rod laterally by simplyunscrewing the same slightly to loosen its outer end from the channel and permit the rod and block 50 to be moved as desired and again fixed by the screwing down of the rod against. inturned mouth flanges 51 of the channel bars. This expedient permits any wall plateor 45 to be moved laterally of the casing or in relation to a given row of shelves 2?. Thus when a given width of articles for aconveyor unit is determined, the wall plates may be adjusted to form lateral guides for the travel of the article in order to preventthe dislodgit of the same. It will now be apparent i t the wall plates 4-1 and i5 may also be slid from front to rear by means of. their bearings 46' and stationed at any desirablepoint by advancing set screws 52 carried by the boa s 4 6. This feature adapts the wall ,plates to the depth of the conveyor; and the wall plates 4:5.are made with inturned flanges 45a for each pair of plates (more clearly shown in'Fig. 3) to serve as retainers for the articles on the rear run of shelves and keep them from falling off the shelves when the latter are spaced considerably from-the rear wall of the cabinet. I

The shelves 2-? are connectedto-the belt by a particular arrangement whereby to render them readily applicable or removable. The

0 fabric and has embedded in it at the height intended for each shelf a horizontal metal bar58. This bar is formed with two forwardly extended flanges 530. which prointo cavities Qlaof a width suitable-for the flanges. Each shelfQT, on the other hand, is formed with a pair of flanges 27a whichare made with inward U-bends 27b to constitute clips. These clips are in registration with theprojected flanges 530; of the belt bars 53 and aretensioned to frictionally engage these flanges when theshelf is moved. to advance the clips into the cavities The shelves are thus simplyand firmly connected to the belt and may be removed or replaced with ease. The shelf supporting units 53, 53a are preferably spaced in close successiomin order that a large number of shelves maybe provided for a commoditv in a fiat or short package; yet, should it. be desired to carry acomm'edity of greater height, it is an easy matter to remove alternate shelves as'clearly an in Fig. 12 to accommodate thenew EllLlClQ. In fact, where an article of much greater'height is to be carried more shelves may be removed to create the necessary space while 1:=iai .ta ning the equi-distant spacing of theshelves along the belt. This feature enables the machine to be adapted for articles of different heights on short notice and belt is preferably made of thick composition without any radicalrhange, inconvenience or expense; also, the equl-d stant dlstrlbu- 'tion of the articles eliminates waste space.

The coin apparatus 22ofthevending'ma I chine may be of any suitable construct-ion, but I have given .special preference to one of my own design for the reason that it is of very small bulk, taking up but a slight amount ofroom in the cabinet, audit has few and simple parts. Itwill be noted-particularly in Figs. 4, .5, and 6 that the coin apparatus involves generally a tall box 54: in the top of which is a coin chute 55 extending from the coin slot 22a, and in thebottom of which is aismall drawer 56 for the ac. cumulated. coins. At one side'of the coinchute 55, the box 5 t containsa highly poised magnet 57, and the coin-chuteis cut away asrindicated at 55a so that the insertion of a ferrous slug or counterfeit wi l cause the same to be drawn laterally toward'the magnet. Only'the upper part of the slug will. be within reach of the magnet, so that when the slug has once been deflected it will fall of its weightinto the space alongside the chute in which a secondary chute 58 will lead the spurious coin down for discharge by way of the slot 221). A'good coin is indicated as dropped in the chute 55 in Fig. 6, and it will be seen that the chute is here cutaway at 55?) somewhat below the top of the coin when the latter rests on a tumbler 59'. This tumbler is yieldably suspended by springs GO-carried by the sides of the chute.

The spindle 61 of the external knob 23 is carried midway into the box 5% and is there interrupted to form an extension 61a which passes through the rear wall of the box and continues a considerable distance in the cabinet. The spindle sections 61 and 614; are 1105 transversely slotted in j registration as indicated at 61?), and when these sections are in a normal position, that is, before the control knob23 is actuatechthe slots 616 may be considered as vertical. Now, when the coin has been dropped as shown in Fig. 6, the spring 60 of the tumbler 59' will be calculated to yield so far as to cause the weight of the coin to depress the tumbler 59 to part ly-fill the slots 61?; as shown. The spindle sections 61 and 614 are by this connection joined in a rotatable sense, so that they will act as one when the knob is turned.

- Behind the box 54:, the spindle section 6165 7 receives a gear pinion 62 loosely mounted on a sleeve 620! which is adjustable by being keyed 62balong the spindle section and'set at any position by sets'crews 63.7 One edge the conveyor belt M is cutwiti gear teeth 2% and positioned opposite'the pinion 62 to '1 mesh therewith. On the-other side of the pinion 62. the sleeve rigidly receives a ratchet pinion 6 1- with which a pawl 65 car-- ried by the pinion 62 is engageable through the pressure of a spring 66. The box54 also has an extension plate 54a (see Figs. 6 and 7) in. a rearward direction and formed with an inward bend 54b, the'latter forming a bearin g for the inner end portion of the spindle section 61a as clearly indicated in Fig. 4. The plate 54a is horizontally slotted 54d and car lies behind the slot a tapped fixture 540 this rotation will be impeded by the dog 67.

The action ust mentioned will by the meshing of the pinion 62 with the belt rack 2% operate to move the belt a desired distance. The direction of operation of the parts just described is intended to harmonize whereby to cause the frontal run of the belt'to descend the desired distance when the knob 23 is given a partial turn accordingly, and to have no effect on the belt when the knob is turned in the opposite direction, since the ratchet pinion 6 L will slip the pawl 65 and the dog 67 will check the pinion 62 from any motion whatever in a reverse direction.

Considering the knob as operatively connected, with the belt, it must be recalled from a foregoing section that the distance of belt travel for each article to be vended was intended to be varied with the spacing of the shelves suitable for the height of the particular class of article. Therefore, the extent to which the knob 28 is turned must be varied accordingly, and insofar as the spindle section 61 is concerned, this is done as indicated in Figs. 9 and 10. It is here seen that the spindle is drilled with a series of diametrical bores 610 in a single transverse plane, these v bores being in proximity to a. frontal Wall of the coin apparatus box 54. A pin 68 is fitted in one of these bores and has an external head 68a; and another pin 69 is fitted in a different bore and has a head 69a, being extended beyond the head to receive a spring 70 which is lead to a )in 71 of the said front wall for attachment. Also, between the two heads 68a and 69a is stationed a lug 72 which project from the front wall aforesaid. The spring 2 0 draws the pin 69 to be in normal contact with the lug 7 2. However, when the knob 23 is turned to separate the pin 69 from the lug. then the pin 68 forms a turning limit for the knob when its head 68a, meets the lug 72. It will now be apparent that should the pin 68 be removed and pressed into a different bore of the spindle the extent of the rotary movement will be changed. The bores will be so spaced as to correspond with the multiple arrangement of the conveyor belt shelves, so that a greater turn of the knob will result in a corresponding divisional movement of the conveyor belt.

Relative to the spindle section 61a, it will be understood that the normal position of the spindle section 61 will place its slots 61?) in a Vertical plane; therefore, in order to have the slots 61?) of the spindle section 61a in registration at the same time, an expedient must be used whereby to provide a fixed origin of rotation for the spindle section 61a. This expedient is similar to the one used for the spindle section 61 insofar as counterparts of the spindle bores 61c, pin 69, head 69a, lug 72, spring 70, and pin 71 are concerned. These counterparts are seen in Fig. 9 and apply to the spindle section 6164 opposite the rear wall of the box 54; and they are marked with the suffix X to distinguish them from the same parts in Fig. 10. In this connection, it will be understood that no Variable limit need be provided for the rotation of the spindle section 61a, as the previously described variable limit or the section 61 will control both spindle sections identically when they have once been joined by the tumbler 59.

It will be apparent that the elongated construction of the spindle section 61a permits the shifting of the pinion assembly 62 rearwardly or forwardly of the cabinet by the adjustment of the screws 63 whereby to adapt the said pinion to the position of the conveyor belt when the latter has been moved accordingly. In this connection, the plate 54a is made with the horizontal slot 5 M for the application of a screw 67a to hold the bracket 540 of the dog 67. Thus, the assembly of'the bracket and the dog will be adjustable horizontally in harmony with the position of the pinion 62.

It will be evident that I have provided a machine which is versatile relative to commodities of different sizes. Thus, the same machine is suitable when a change in the size of the commodity is made either in height, depth or width. It must be noted that the shelf divisions of the belt conveyor are not restricted to a measured fit of the article deposited therein. In fact the article may be perceptibly lower or narrower; or it may be square shaped or round, such as in the case of fruits, soaps and the like. My principle calls for the change in the spacing of the shelves where the articles either require a greater spacing or will fit a smaller one and thus makes for a greater capacity of the conveyor. In conclusion, it may be summarized that the important features of the novel vending machine are; 1. The bodily adjustment of the conveyor from front to rear to accommodate articles of different depths; 2. The lateral adjustment of the wall plates to guide articles of difierent widths; 3. The peculiar means of spacing and attaching the shelves to the belt; 4. The

propulsion of the belt by having the same i 18 12 3 V V V I geared on its side edge; 5. The provision of the intermediate gear for spacing the belt runs and holding the frontal belt run forsward; 6. The adjustable discharge plate; I

7. The elongation of the coin operatingspindle suitable to the bodily shifting of the conveyor belt; and 8. The variable rotation limit of the hand control knob consistent with the divisional travel of the conveyor belt;

' While I have illustrated and described the invention in the preferred embodiment, it will be evident that the same is capable of minor changes and refinements, and it is my intention to include such changes and refinements as coming within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 1

I claim:

1. A vending machine comprising a cabi-- net having a wall formed with a discharge opening, an endless-belt conveyor unit having projecting shelves" and operative to carry articles on the latter opposite the discharge opening, and means to adjust the conveyor unit from front to rear and vice-versa relative to the wall to accommodate articles of different depths.

2. 'A vending machine comprising a cabinet, an endless-belt conveyor unit having projecting shelves and operative to carry articles on the latter opposite a discharge opening in the front of the cabinet, vertically-spaced shafts, pulleys on the latter and forming upper and lower guides for the conveyor belt, horizontally recessed bearings carried by the shafts, bars extending from front to rear in the cabinet andslidably receiving the bearings, and supports-from the ceiling and floor ofthe cabinet and connecting with the corresponding bars. 1

3. The structure of claim 1, a backing pulley inside the frontal conveyor belt run and substantially at the height of the discharge opening, journals for said pulley, supports for the journals, andmeans to adjust'said pulley in conformity with the shifting adj ustment of the conveyor unit.

4. A'vending machine comprising a cabinet, and endless-belt conveyor unit having projecting shelves and operative to carry articles on the latter, the course of the conveyor being in a vertical plane, and wall plates alongside the shelves and forming side guards for the articles, and means to adjust said wall plates toward and from the sides of the shelves.

5. A vending machine comprising a cabinet, an endless-belt conveyor unit having projecting shelves and operative to carry art1- cles on the latter, the course of the conveyor, being in a vertical plane extending in the direction of the depth of the cabinet, wall plates alongside the frontal run of shelves,

and wall plates along the "rear run of shelves, means to shift the conveyor from front to rear and vice-versain the cabinet to accoin modate articles of different depths, and means the movement of the shelf runs.

-6. A 'vendii g machine comprising a cabinet,jan endless-belt conveyor unit having proto shift the wall plates in conforinit'ylwith jecting shelvesand operative to carry articles 5 plates along the re al-m1 of sl elves,. means l to shift the conveyor from frontto rearaiid iice ver'sa in the cabinet to accommodate alf ticl'e's of different depths, and'means toshift the wall plates in conformity with the move-Y ment of the'shelf runs, said means compris bearings carried the wall plates, and

net, an'endless-beltconveyor-unit having proj eeting shelves and operative to carry a'rti f cles on the latter, the course of thef'conveyor being in a vertical plane 'extending in theidi rection of the depth of the cabinet,'wall plates alongside the frontal runof shelves, and we r plates along the rear run of slielvesf neaiis to shift theconveyor from front to rear'ai' d v ce-versa in the cab net to accommodate al ticles of different depths, and means tosl 'ift" the wall platesin conformity with themo ve horizontal supports extending from thefront mentof the'shel f' runs, said'means comprising bearings carried by the wall plates, hori-j zontal rods extending from the front and rear cabinet walls,fsaid rods slifdably' receiiv V j and set screws directed way of the bearings to engage said rods.

ingthe bearings,

8. g A vending machine comprising a cabinet,-an 'endlessbelt conveyor unithaviiig pfojecting shelves and, operative to carry art1- cles on the latter, the course of the conveyor belng in a vertical plane extending in the direction of thedepth'of the cabinet, wall plates alongside the frontal run of shelves, wall plates along the rear run of shelves, supports for the wall plates, slide blocks carried by the supports, and horizontal wayscarried by,

the front and rear cabinet wallsand receiving said slide blocks. I z 7 9. A vending machine comprisinga cabinet, an'endless-belt conveyor unit having projecting shelves and operative to carry articles on the latter, .the course of the conveyor being in a vertical plane extending in the direction of the depth ofthe cabinet, wall plates alongside the front run ofshelves, wall plates. 7 along the rear run of. shelves, rotatable rods carried by the wall plates and tapped in their outer ends, screws receivable in the latter andhaving slide block external heads, horizontal channels carried byi the frontand rear cabinet walls and receiving the slide blocks, and

inturned flanges frontally of the channels and forming abutmentsfor said ends when the rods are screwed down, this action drawing. up the screws to fix the wall plates at selected positions along the channels. 7

10. A vending machine comprising a cabinet, an endless-belt conveyor unit having projecting shelves and operative to carry articles on the latter, the course'of the conveyor being in a vertical plane extending in the direction of the depth of the cabinet, wall plates alongside the front run of shelves, wall plates I along the rear run of shelves, rotatable rods carried by the wall plates and tapped in their outer ends, screws receivable in the latter and having slide block external heads, horizontal channels carried by the front and rear cabinet walls and receiving the slide blocks, and inturned flanges frontally of the channels and forming abutments for said ends when the rods are screwed down, this action drawing up the screws to fix the wall plates at selected positions along the channels, said wall plates being extended with bearings for the disposal of said rods, and set screws directed by way of said bearings to engage the rods and fix the same when their rotary adjustment has been determined.

' 11. A vending machine comprising a cabinet, an endless-belt commodity conveyor in the latter, said conveyorhaving commodity units adjustably spaced along the belt to provide compartments of predetermined dimensions, a hand control, an element operable by the hand control to procure the movement of the, belt, said hand control having adjustable means associated therewith for regulating the movement of the element to correspond to the predetermined dimensions of the commodity units along the belt. c

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' WILBUR G. PARRISH. 

